Axelrod Denies Barack Obama Met With Rod Blagojevich

Update: It's pronounced "Blah-GOY-uh-vitch." I've been saying it wrong all day.

The Obama press office just sent out the following statement, via email:

STATEMENT FROM SENIOR ADVISOR DAVID AXELROD

I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly to Governor Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy. They did not then or at any time discuss the subject.

That should put the entire matter to rest. What? No?

Axelrod's statement is in reference to this appearance on Fox Chicago Sunday, Nov. 23.



Looking at the clip, I'm inclined to believe that Axelrod was BSing his way through that part of the interview, but who knows? Earlier in the interview, Axelrod says he hasn't talked with Obama about it, but later says there are names that have come up. It looks to me like he just doesn't want to say, "Ehh, beats me."

Either way, it would be better for Obama if Axelrod had nothing to deny. Look for this to dominate coverage for awhile.

Either way, this is an absolutely shocking scandal, and one that I really wish had happened to a guy named Smith, or Jones, or even Jenkins.
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